Iffy for 13+
Massive global destruction -- not for worriers.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that director Roland Emmerich's 2012 is an intense, violent disaster movie, with billions of anonymous characters getting killed during massive scenes of destruction (earthquakes, tsunamis, and more). Although the tone is mainly exciting, the relentless devastation could terrify or depress many viewers (both kids and grown-ups), especially those who've been through natural disasters themselves. In other words, this is no movie for kids anxious about the state of the world. Fans of the genre will find some of the effects truly impressive, but there's not much in the way of character or plot depth. Expect a little bit of kissing, drinking, and swearing (including "s--t"). All that and it's almost three hours long. ...
- Families can talk about the movie's destruction and violence. Much of it is of a sci-fi/fantasy nature, but if you stop to think about it, the enormity and frequency of it can be overwhelming. Is this kind of violence more or less upsetting than gory horror movies?
- One of the movie's major themes is the importance of family.Does that come through amid the chaos and destruction? Did the movie make you feel closer to your own family?
- Why do you think the wealthiest and most important peoplewere chosen for seats on the arks? Should other people have gotten a chance? What would have been a better way to go about theprocess?
- Do you think a disaster like this could occur? If so, is it better totry and prepare or better not to worry about something we can't control?
The good stuff
-
Messages: Despite the relentlessly depressing, gruesome subject matter and millions (billions?) of deaths, the film's main point is that family is ultimately the most important thing in life. Several characters risk their lives or well-being for family members, and one character tries (tragically) to contact his family too late. Certain selfish characters are redeemed by saving family members, and the movie makes a point of mentioning that the most selfish character of all has no family. Aside from that, a few characters look beyond family to try to rescue total strangers as well.
-
Role models: The characters aren't very deep, but some of them still demonstrate marked heroism and selflessness. Hero Jackson Curtis previously ignored his family in favor of his career, but he returns to them during the disaster, learning how to connect with, love, and forgive them. Later, he risks his life to save thousands of people. Other characters clash over methods by which to choose who's rescued, with some seeing only the bottom line, but others arguing that everyone has a right to live. The president shows heroism and self sacrifice.
What to watch for
-
Violence: Not much blood and gore (one character gets his leg gouged in a giant gear), but the massive destruction results in countless anonymous deaths. The movie does focus dramatically on certain known faces as they meet their terrible fates, but it rarely stops to linger on them. Two children watch as their father falls to his death and another character is ground up in some machinery. Smaller moments of hostility at a boxing match, and a character punches another character in the face. A mass suicide is mentioned on a news report.
-
Sex: One character is a plastic surgeon who does breast implants. He meets one of his patients, and they mention her surgery several times. Gordon and Kate briefly discuss "making a baby" of their own. Kate and Jackson kiss once, and there's a near-kiss between Adrien and the president's daughter.
-
Language: Fairly light use of strong language, although there's at least one "f--k," a few uses of "s--t," and other words like "damn," "ass," "hell," "goddamn," and "oh my God." One character flips another one off.
-
Consumerism: A wealthy character brags about his fancy new Bentley. Pull-Ups diapers are discussed and shown.
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Two minor adult characters are shown drinking. One takes his first drink in 25 years when he discovers that the world is going to end.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Amazing Global Castastrophe Movie by flixwatchergal
You get a bang for every buck you spend to see this film. There are multiple story lines so be careful not to get too distracted on all the wonderful spec effects. Cusack, Glover, and Harrelson were awesome. This film focuses on brains for survival where other disaster films have focused on brawn, most interesting. There are surprises, making this film unpredictable and edgy. If you are a fan of the disaster genre this film delivers earthquakes, volcanos, and sunamis all rolled in one! There are appropriately placed pockets of humor to make you laugh and touching scenes to make you cry. Movies rarely cause me to do either, but I did both watching this movie. This movie is not about theology although the film does depict a variety of religious icons. My concern is this movie may feed into the hype already being created in churches, media (like discovery channel), and survivalists groups about the coming of the end. I highly recommend this movie. Go and enjoy! Is this review helpful? :)
1
Great CGI. Racist Script. by badbadkittymn
If you're into special effects, this movie won't disappoint. What bothers me about this movie is the racist screenplay. The writers resort to that tired old plot line that has the likable minority figure expousing morality while the evil white man is only concerned about himself. C'mon, is that the best Hollywood can do? I bet the CGI gals and guys are upset that they spent so much time making it look like California is sliding into the Pacefic only to have the writers mess up the movie with recycled dialog.
1
Just Goes to show you how many mindless Americans we have out there. Ooh pretty colors. by guitartuck
This movie was way too hyped up. I counted at least 5 or 6 places this movie could have ended. After the second one the movie got plain stupid. Incredibly unrealistic through each potential ending. I mean seriously, you can't out run a volcanic eruption. I want my money back, for the movie and the sitter. This was a tragedy.
1
Congratulations!! 2012 worse movie of the year by migsar
The blu-ray DVD will look great on your home theater as ambient background for your next house party, but that's about it.. Definitely 2012 was just made for pure cheap entertainment, and never based on the 2012 mayan prophecies, that is all about the awakening of consciousness of human transformation and evolution. The movie message was,'there is NO spirituality or God in the world, we are just alone and only money will save us". The acting had a lack of credibility, while millions of people were dying, the only middle class family from California who survived, spent most of the their time trying to find a safe place to speak their inane dialogue and how Mommy's new boyfriend was squashed in the gears of a giant high-tech ark, so Daddy's back in the picture! What does it matter that billions die if that brings a family together in one big hug?
. My fellows americans you better make a billion dollars by 2012 if you want to make it at the end of times. 2012 SUCKS!!
5
2012 - a visual feast by moroskyl
The special effects are worth every minute spent in the seat. The story line is improbable, but you know that going in so just sit back and be entertained by the wizardy of the movie makers who conceived and executed this delicious on-screen experience. If you've ever wondered what an epic tidal wave - or California falling into the sea - would actually look like, this movie answers all those questions. John Cusack's acting carries the movie, everyone else is fairly weak, but John and the special effects alone are enough to make this a must see. Do yourself a favor and see it on the big screen, don't wait for the DVD.
2
TWO HOURS OF MY LIFE I WILL NEVER GET BACK! by eaputman
This film was one of the most horrible films of 2009. It was probably the worst "end of the world" flick I have ever seen. Poor choice of actors (I've seen Cusak, Newton, and the guy from "Inside Man" better roles.) Whose storyline was to be followed? The antagonist was not really an antagonist; hell, it was understandable given the situation. Anyway, I'm glad these tickets were praticaly free. But that is 2.5 hours of my life that I will never get back. I do not recommend this movie to anyone who has an appreciation for cinema.
5
Really Good in the Theatre by cdalton15
Just got home from the movie. I was pleasantly surprised. The effects were awesome and need to be experienced in the theatre. I did not even realize that the movie was as long as it was until it was over and I looked at my watch. It was worth the $10.00. The movie was sold out of course, and the whole lot clapped at the end. It was a great way to end the week!
5
The best movie I have seen in 50+ years by psyfan
I went there expecting to see a good movie but nothing more, and that all the disaster footage was going to be limited to what was in the previews.
With a run time of 2hrs 38minutes there was almost two hours of special effects and CG. The story was excellent and had many different characters with story lines that all tied together in a neat package.
From the time the disaster started, it was an edge of your seat totally enjoyable experience. The CG was seamless and looked real. Maybe one of the best movies I have ever seen.
The whole movie was far far better than I expected and the millions of dollars they spent on special effects and Computer Graphics was money well spent.
The only improvement they could have made, was to also make an Imax version.
Go see it...NOW.
5
Movie Critics- Wrong! Audiences- Right!! by buckeyeclark
I can't understand the intense negative reviews by the poo-poo movie critics about "2012." DON'T LISTEN TO THEM!! "2012" is not supposed to be a "Meryl Streep" movie for cryin' out loud! It's a late harvest summer blockbuster disaster treat of a movie that is a roller-coaster ride of fun! Yes, some of the plot is predictable...so what?? The special effects are first-class, but they don't overwhelm the characters in the movie. There are parts in the movie (that my audience did) where you are laughing, then crying, and then on the edge of your seat. I didn't go to this movie to think, debate philosophy or religion, or try to raise my IQ level. I went to entertained! I was entertained A LOT more than I thought I would be. My audience "rated" the movie with applause at the end. No- there weren't too many sub-plots in the movie to follow as the critics panned. Maybe my IQ is higher than theirs! Did it make me think? Yes it did. Don't pass Go or collect $200. Go see "2012" this weekend
3
Five Word Review by ChipBuffalo
atleast they couldn't blame Bush